Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – African heads of state are set to gather in Dar es Salaam next week for the African Energy Summit, where they will sign the Dar es Salaam Declaration, a commitment to achieving universal electricity access across the continent by 2030.

The declaration will be followed by the signing of national "Energy Compacts" by each country, outlining specific actions to achieve this goal sustainably.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr. Kevin Kariuki, Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth at the African Development Bank (AfDB), emphasized the five key pillars of the Energy Compacts:

Least-cost energy expansion plans: Addressing power generation, transmission, distribution, and supply efficiently.
Enhanced interconnection: Enabling cross-border power trade and leveraging economies of scale, with Tanzania poised to benefit significantly from its Nyerere Hydro Power Project.

Increased access to distributable renewable energy: Particularly solar power.

Private sector investment: Reducing reliance on public funding for energy projects.
Improved viability of power utilities: Ensuring efficient and profitable operation.

Dr. Kariuki stressed the critical role of electricity in driving economic growth and industrial transformation across Africa.

The African Energy Summit, co-organized by the World Bank and the AfDB, aims to accelerate electricity access for 300 million Africans currently lacking access.